(A participant demonstrates glass-breaking techniques at glasstec 2024’s “Handwerk Live” exhibit, showcasing innovative glass applications and industry trends in Düsseldorf, Germany. Courtesy photo.)
With the motto “We Are Glass”, glasstec 2024 impressed with global market leaders and decision-makers from all over the world.
High interest in the supporting program with innovative impulses and networking opportunities
submitted by Anne Meerboth-Maltz, Messe Düsseldorf North America
For four days, Düsseldorf, Germany, was the center of the global glass industry. From October 22 – 25, 2024, glasstec, the international trade fair for glass production, glass processing and glass products, once again impressed exhibitors and trade visitors from all over the world, confirming its importance as a global industry platform for the glass industry. A total of 1,257 exhibitors from 50 countries and over 32,000 trade visitors from 121 nations came together to experience the latest technologies, trends and innovations along the entire glass production and processing value chain.
Strong presence of leading companies
The who’s who of the glass industry was once again represented at glasstec 2024 and exhibitors were very satisfied across the board. Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Düsseldorf, is pleased: “glasstec 2024 has once again proven itself as the central meeting point for the international glass industry. We are proud to organize a trade fair that showcases the innovative strength and future visions of the industry. Despite the economic challenges, the mood was very positive and inspiring, with a focus on collaboration and progress. This strong response underlines the importance of glasstec for the further development of the glass industry.”
Egbert Wenninger, CCO Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH and Chairman of the glasstec Exhibitor Advisory Board, confirmed: “glasstec was once again the meeting place for the global glass community. Nowhere else is all the information about glass production and glass processing available in such a condensed form. Plus many innovations and trends. glasstec is simply a must.”
High quality and internationality of trade visitors
The outstanding range of exhibitors met with an extremely positive response from trade visitors from all over the world. glasstec 2024 not only impressed with its high level of internationality, but also with a remarkable proportion of decision-makers. With an almost 80% share of executives, visitor quality increased once again. Around 75% of trade visitors came from abroad, including numerous attendees from Europe, North America and Asia. Germany, Italy, France, Poland and the Netherlands were particularly well represented, as were the U.S. and China – impressive proof of the trade fair’s global appeal.
Top-class supporting program and networking opportunities
glasstec 2024 focused specifically on the key topics of the industry: digital technologies, the circular economy and decarbonization. A first-class supporting program featuring lectures, interactive workshops and special shows offered trade visitors in-depth insights into the current challenges and opportunities facing the glass industry and provided valuable networking opportunities. With the motto “We Are Glass”, these focal points resonated well with the exhibitors and in the supporting program. New formats such as CircuClarity One, the glass melting pot, the glass trends sessions and the architecture forum were all successfully introduced, while the innovation show glass technology live showcasing the latest technological developments was a special highlight.
Handwerk LIVE: Practical and future-orientated
The special Handwerk LIVE area was also very popular in 2024. Visitors were very interested in the practical demonstrations of the latest craft techniques – from safety glass to glass art, the entire spectrum of handcrafted glass production and finishing was vividly presented.
The next staging of glasstec will take place from October 20 – 23, 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at glasstec 2026, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit www.glasstec-online.com and www.mdna.com. Follow us on https://www.linkedin.com/company/mdnachicago/
For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc. at (866) 674-3476; Fax: (212) 674-3477; E-mail: info@ttitravel.net; www.ttitravel.net
